The city says it doesn't keep specific records on what it costs to put on the festival. But opponents go to court to force the issue.
By MELIA BOWIE
Published November 14, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - Chasco Fiesta opponents are taking the city of New Port Richey and Mayor Frank Parker to court to find out how much the city spent this year to host Chasco Fiesta.
Florida AIM supporters James Wright and Daniel Callaghan filed a complaint in Pasco County Court on Wednesday seeking records detailing how much it cost the city and taxpayers to provide police, fire services, parks, cleanup and advertising for the 11-day fundraising event.
Local members and supporters of the American Indian Movement are critical of Chasco - saying it promotes stereotypes and is demeaning to American Indians. Supporters say Chasco is a cultural event and is one of the year's largest fundraisers for area charities.
Wright said he and Callaghan went to City Hall in April and made a verbal open records request for information about the March 20-30 festival. Wright said he looked at the city's books but could not find any documentation.
"There's absolutely no entry in there at all about what the costs are," Wright told the Times on Thursday. "They said there was no record of that at all.
"So I decided to take them to court to get a record," he said, adding the mayor was sued personally because he ultimately is responsible for the city.
Parker and city staff had not been served by Thursday afternoon.
So just how much does New Port Richey spend on personnel to host Chasco Fiesta?
City staff said there is no report tallying labor costs for special events, nor is there a line item for Chasco in the city budget, but the answer could be found.
"We can go back and research and add it up from payroll accounts," said city finance director Rick Snyder, but such a directive would have to come from the city manager or City Council.
"As far as having a public record for this type of event, we don't," Snyder said.
City Manager Gerald Seeber said all city records are available to Callaghan and Wright at any time.
"We will do exactly what the law entails," he said.
However, "in terms of making reports for their use, no. We don't do that. Developing reports, that's something we do for City Council," he said.
In January 2003, Callaghan did file a written request asking how much the city reimbursed the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the agency that organizes Chasco, for the 2002 event.
That request did not ask for a tally of man hours and/or overtime, as the April request for the 2003 event did. For the 2002 Fiesta, a leased float, barricades and American Indian activities cost the city about $11,000.
The city produced the information on the 2002 event, Seeber said.
